[10/20/14 - 11:27 PM]Development Update: Monday, October 20Updates include: Lucas Hedges, Penn Badgley cast in NBC's "The Slap"; Vinnie Jones set for arc on The CW's "Arrow"; and Leslie Jones is promoted to featured player on "Saturday Night Live."

[03/21/14 - 11:17 PM]Development Update: Friday, March 21Updates include: ABC Family pulls the plug on drama pilot "Alice in Arabia"; Alfre Woodard tapped as President in NBC's "State of Affairs"; and Lindsay Sloane cast in "The Odd Couple" at CBS.

DESCRIPTION:(from Lifetime's press release, August 2012) The world-premiere of the highly anticipated Lifetime Original Movie Event, Steel Magnolias, is set to debut Sunday, October 7 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime. Golden Globe(R) and Grammy(R) Award winner and Academy Award(R) nominee Queen Latifah stars in and executive produces the film, a television adaptation of the iconic play and 1989 film of the same name, reuniting her with producing duo Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, from the Oscar and Golden Globe winning Chicago and Hairspray. Directed by Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the film will feature Queen Latifah taking on the role of 'M'Lynn' and starring alongside Tony(R) Award winner Phylicia Rashad as 'Clairee,' Independent Spirit Award nominee Adepero Oduye as 'Annelle,' Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad as 'Shelby,' with Grammy winner Jill Scott as 'Truvy' and Golden Globe and multiple Emmy(R)- winner Alfre Woodard as 'Ouiser,' Produced by Sony Pictures Television, Steel Magnolias is executive produced by Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere (Single Ladies) and Shelby Stone. Leon directs from a script that has been adapted for television by Sally Robinson (Iron Jawed Angels) and is based on the play and screenplay by Robert Harling (The First Wives Club). Steel Magnolias is also a reunion for Zadan, Meron, Rashad and Leon, who last worked together on the critically acclaimed Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Sony TV movie A Raisin in the Sun, which won numerous NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding TV Movie, Miniseries, or DramaticSpecial and Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Dramatic Special for Phylicia Rashad.